Satellite dispensing system

ABSTRACT

Stacked satellite dispensing systems are described herein. The disclosed systems have diagonal struts that stabilize satellite stacks horizontally and vertically without adding performance-reducing mass. The diagonal struts increase the number of bracing points and improve stability. The improved stability can allow for the satellite stack to be made heavier and taller, such as by having more satellites than a dispensing system with vertical struts. The diagonal struts, which provide the improved stability, can also allow for sub-stacks to be used. The sub-stacks include batches of satellites retained by the stacked satellite dispensing system. Therefore, the stacked satellite dispending system can release single satellites batches at once, rather than all the satellites at once.

BACKGROUND

Satellite dispensing systems, such as those stored in and launched byrockets, typically comprise a central mounting structure, to whichmultiple satellites are individually attached. In this embodiment, thesatellites are typically deployed individually or in pairs. Anotherembodiment includes a vertical stack of satellites, which arecollectively clamped to a base structure under the stack. In thisembodiment, the satellites are typically deployed en masse. The stacksof satellites can be dispersed via momentum, a propulsion system, or thelike, depending on the launch vehicle, dispensing system, or launchplan.

Conventional satellite dispensing systems of individually attachingsatellites to a central mounting structure tend to be bulky and do notefficiently use physical space within a payload fairing. In addition,because individual separation devices are required for each satellite, agreat number of costly separation devices are required in total.

Conventional stacked satellite dispensing systems provide a minimalamount of lateral stability to resist forces exerted on the satellitestack in a direction that is perpendicular to a height of the satellitestack. Therefore, the number of satellites within the satellite stack islimited by the inability or limited ability of the satellite stack toresist the lateral inertial forces exerted on the satellite stack.Accordingly, heavier and taller satellite stacks (i.e., satellite stackswith more satellites) cannot be used with current stabilizing systems.

Furthermore, conventional stacked-satellite satellite dispensing systemsneed to release the entire satellite stack at once. This causes thesatellites of the satellite stack to be dispensed in single location.Therefore, multiples launches are required to dispense satellites at twoseparate locations. This can lead to greater cost and lower dispensingefficiency.

The art would benefit from a stacked satellite dispensing system thatmore efficiently withstands forces exerted on the stacked satellitedispensing system, thus allowing the dispenser to carry more satellites.The art would also benefit from a stacked satellite dispensing systemthat allow satellites to be deployed in batches, rather than all atonce.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example stacked satellite dispensing system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example satellite of the example stacked satellitedispensing system.

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an example stacked satellite dispensing system.

FIG. 4 illustrates example satellites being dispersed from the examplestacked satellite dispensing system of FIGS. 3A-3B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Stacked satellite dispensing systems and methods are described herein.Aerospace and rocket designers focus on improving the stability of asatellite stack while also minimizing overall structural mass of therocket. One particular focus for them is to stabilize the satellites ofthe satellite stack. Designers then need to enhance the stability of thesatellite stack itself because the satellite stack can be exposed to avariety of forces during launch, such as high-altitude winds as thelaunch vehicle passes through earth's atmosphere into orbit

Stacked satellite dispensing systems typically include vertical strutsto secure a satellite stack to a base. The vertical struts arejettisoned and the satellites, no longer being secured to the base, arereleased from the base and disperse into space. The satellites dispersedue to momentum of the stacked satellite dispensing system beingretained by the satellites once free from the base. Conventional stackedsatellite dispensing systems provide a minimal amount of lateralstability to resist forces exerted on the satellite stack in a directionthat is perpendicular to a height of the satellite stack. Therefore, thenumber of satellites within the satellite stack is limited by theinability or limited ability of the satellite stack to resist the forcesexerted on the satellite stack. Accordingly, heavier and tallersatellite stacks (i.e., satellite stacks with more satellites) cannot beused with current stabilizing systems.

Another focus of aerospace and rocket designers is on increasing thenumber of satellites in the satellite stack, subject to the stability ofthe satellite stack based on the proposed number of satellites.Therefore, improving the stability of the satellite stack can allow forthe addition of more satellites to the satellite stack. The disclosedsystems have diagonal struts (i.e., struts extending at an obliqueangle) that stabilize satellite stacks horizontally and verticallywithout adding performance-reducing mass. Rather than stabilizing one ortwo axes (e.g., one or two of the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis), thediagonal struts increase stability along all 3 axes (e.g., x-axis,y-axis, and z-axis). The increased stability allows for heavier andtaller satellite stacks (i.e., satellite stacks with more totalsatellites) to be used.

Aerospace and rocket designer can also focus on dispensing groups ofsatellites at different locations in space. This can be done to moreevenly dispense satellites or to dispense satellites at distinctlocations to reduce the number of required launches, increase dispensingefficiency, reduce cost, or the like. For example, a first group ofsatellites can be dispensed when the system reaches a first location.Then, a send group of satellites can be dispensed when the systemreaches a second location.

The improved stability can allow for the satellite stack to be madeheavier and taller, such as by having more satellites than a dispensingsystem with vertical struts. The diagonal struts, which provide theimproved stability, can also allow for sub-stacks to be used. Thesub-stacks include batches of satellites retained by the stackedsatellite dispensing system. Therefore, the stacked satellite dispendingsystem can release single satellites batches at once, rather than allthe satellites at once.

The diagonal struts can also reduce the number of pyrotechnicsincorporated into the satellite stack or dispensing system. Pyrotechnicscan be costly, unreliable (i.e., fail to fire), or both. Removing orreducing the number of pyrotechnics can reduce the cost of the satellitestack of dispensing system, improve the reliability of the satellitestack or dispensing, or both.

FIG. 1 shows a stacked satellite dispensing system 100. The stackedsatellite dispensing system 100 includes a base 112 and a satellitestack 102. The base 112 is a platform on which the satellite stack 102is located or supported. The satellite stack 102 includes columns ofsatellites 104, such that each column includes satellites 104 stacked ontop of each other. The satellite stack 102 can include any appropriatenumber of columns (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) based on the configurationof the satellites 104, the total load (i.e., mass or volume) of thesatellite stack 102, the number of satellites 104 to be deployed, thelike, or combinations thereof.

The stacked satellite dispensing system 100 also includes a firstdiagonal strut 106 a and a second diagonal strut 106 b. The first andsecond diagonal struts 106 a, 106 b can extend from the top satellitetowards the bottom satellite of the satellite stack 102 or can beadjoined at the top of a cup pillar 108 by a strut coupling 122, asshown in magnified view 120. The first and second diagonal struts 106 a,106 b can be adjoined to the strut coupling 122, such as by an adhesive,by welding, by molding as a single piece, or the like. The strutcoupling 122 can include arms, holes, or bores to accept each of thefirst and second diagonal struts 106 a, 106 b. The strut coupling 122can also include a stacking cup to mate the first and second diagonalstruts 106 a, 106 b to a stacking cup of the top satellite. The stackingcup of the strut coupling 122 can be male, female, or male and female.

The first and second diagonal struts 106 a, 106 b extend from the strutcoupling 122 in different directions towards the base 112, such astowards a strut bracket 114 at the bottom of an adjacent cup pillar. Forexample, first and second diagonal struts are connected via a strutcoupling at the top of a first cup pillar. The first diagonal strutextends diagonally from the top of the first cup pillar to a strutbracket the bottom of a second cup pillar. The second cup pillar is tothe left of the first cup pillar. The second diagonal strut extendsdiagonally from the top of the first cup pillar to a strut bracket atthe bottom of a third cup pillar. The third cup pillar is to the rightof the first cup pillar.

The satellite stack 102 also includes cup pillars 108. The satellitestack 102 can include two or more cup pillars based on the number ofsides or edges, based on the mass to be supported, or the like. Each cuppillar 108 is formed from stacking cups of all the satellites 104 of thesatellite stack 102. The stacking cups of each cup pillar 108 arecoaxial (i.e., having a common axis, such as an axis extending throughthe stacking cups of the cup pillar 108) along a given column or alongtwo columns. The cup pillars 108 can be on an external surface of thesatellite stack 102. For example, a first cup pillar is formed from afirst group of coaxial stacking cups of the satellites of the satellitestack 102. A second cup pillar is formed from a second group of coaxialstacking cups of the satellites of the satellite stack 102.

The satellite stack 102 can also include internal cup pillars that forman internal cavity extending through the satellite stack 102.

The satellite stack 102 also includes stack sidewalls formed by externalsidewalls of the satellites 104. The satellite stack 102 can include twoor more stack sidewalls based on satellite design, stack configurationor the like. The external sidewalls forming the stack sidewalls can becoplanar (i.e., the external sidewalls lie on the same plane). The stacksidewalls are formed from sidewalls of multiple satellites which extendbetween adjacent cup pillars 108. The stack sidewalls can be traversedby the two diagonal struts, each of the two diagonal struts being from apair of diagonal struts sharing the same strut coupling 122. Forexample, the two diagonal struts traversing the same stack sidewall forman “X,” where the two diagonal struts sharing the same strut couplingform a caret or a hat (e.g., “{circumflex over ( )}”).

The satellite dispensing system 100 can also include support rods 110,which extend between adjacent strut couplings 122. The support rods 110can support the satellite stack 102 vertically (i.e., increase force orpressure exerted downwardly on the satellites 104 to inhibit or reducemovement), horizontally (i.e., provide a surface against which the cuppillars 108 can press at a distance furthest from the base 114 toeliminate or reduce any torque due to externally applied forces), orboth vertically and horizontally.

FIG. 2 shows an example satellite 104. The satellite 104 is anindividual satellite of the satellite stack 102. Once dispersed ordeployed from the satellite stack 102, the satellite 104 can be part ofa satellite constellation (i.e., multiple satellites which form anetwork), such that each satellite of the satellite constellation cancommunication with other satellites of the satellite constellation, aground transceiver, or other satellites and the ground transceiver. Thesatellite constellation can be used as a communication system, for spaceobservation, Internet or telecommunications service, or the like, witheach satellite acting as a node within the network.

The satellite 104 includes a main body and stacking cups 204 a-204 e.The main body includes a housing and components, devices, or systems.The housing can provide a surface to support the components, devices, orsystems, or to which the components, devices, or systems can beattached. The housing can also encase or partially encase thecomponents, devices, or systems to protect the components, devices, orsystems from external forces or elements. The housing includes a firstside 202 a and a second side 202 b adjoined by sidewalls, such assidewalls 206 a-206 e. The first side 202 a, when in a satellite stack,faces a satellite above or below satellite 104. The second side 202 b,when in a satellite stack, faces a satellite above or below satellite104. When the satellite 104 is a top satellite in the satellite stack,one of the first or second sides 202 a, 202 b can face open space oranother satellite (e.g., a satellite beneath the satellite 104 in thesatellite stack or another satellite from another satellite stack). Whenthe satellite 104 is a bottom satellite in the satellite stack, one ofthe first or second sides 202 a, 202 b can face a base or anothersatellite (e.g., a satellite on top of the satellite 104 in thesatellite stack or another satellite from another satellite stack).

The sidewalls, such as sidewalls 206 a-206 e, can form an externalsurface of the satellite stack. The sidewalls can also form an internalcavity of the satellite stack, such as when in a circle or circularshape.

The components, devices, or systems can include antennas, processors,memory, propulsion system, navigation sensors, proximity detectors, thelike, or combinations or multiples thereof.

The stacking cups 204 a-204 e provide an interface by which adjacentsatellites in a satellite stack can be stacked on each other. Thestacking cups 204 a-204 e can also provide an interface by which the topsatellites in each stack or sub-stack can engage with a strut coupling.The stacking cups 204 a-204 e can also provide an interface by which thebottom satellites in each stack or sub-stack can engage with a strutbracket or a base.

The stacking cups 204 a-204 e of the satellite 104 can be male, female,or male and female, such that the adjacent satellites include stackingcups having complementary male or female connections.

The stacking cups 204 a-204 e can be located on the sidewalls (e.g.,sidewalls 206 a-206 e) of the satellite 104, on corners of the satelliteformed by adjoining sidewalls (e.g., sidewalls 206 a-206 e), or on bothsidewalls and corners of the satellite 104.

Though two sidewalls 206 a-206 e are discussed herein, the satellite 104can include 2 or more sidewalls, including 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more. Thenumber of sidewalls can be determined based on a design, configuration,or shape of the satellite 104 or the satellite stack. Additionally,though two stacking cups 204 a-204 e are discussed herein, the satellite104 can include 1 or more stacking cups, including, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, ormore. The number of stacking cups 204 a-204 e can be determined based onthe design, configuration, or shape of the satellite 104 or thesatellite stack.

FIGS. 3A-3B show a stacked satellite dispensing system 300. The stackedsatellite dispensing system 300 includes a total satellite stack 302formed by a first satellite sub-stack 304 and a second satellitesub-stack 310. The first and second satellite sub-stacks 304, 310include columns of satellites 360, such that each column includessatellites 360 stacked on top of each other. The first and secondsatellite sub-stacks 304, 310 can include any appropriate number ofcolumns (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, or more) based on the configuration of thesatellites 360, the total load (i.e., mass or volume) of the first andsecond satellite sub-stacks 304, 310, the number of satellites 360 to bedeployed, the like, or combinations thereof. The satellites 360 aresimilar to the satellite 104.

The first and second satellite sub-stacks 304, 310 are similar to thesatellite stack 202, except that the first and second satellitesub-stacks 304, 310 include cup pillars 308, 312, respectively.Furthermore, the first satellite sub-stack 304 is stacked on top of thesecond satellite sub-stack 310. The stacked satellite dispensing system300 also includes a base 320, which is a platform on which the secondsatellite sub-stack 310 is located or supported.

The stacked satellite dispensing system 300 includes sub-stack diagonalstruts 314 a, 314 b. The sub-stack diagonal struts 314 a, 314 b aresimilar to the first and second diagonal struts 206 a, 206 b. Thesub-stack diagonal struts 314 a, 314 b can extend from the top satelliteof the second satellite sub-stack 310 to the bottom satellite of thesecond satellite sub-stack 310 or can be adjoined at the top of a cuppillar 312 via a sub-stack strut coupling 342, as shown in magnifiedview 340. The sub-stack diagonal struts 314 a, 314 b can be adjoined tothe sub-stack strut coupling 342, such as by an adhesive, by welding, bymolding as a single piece, or the like. The sub-stack strut coupling 342can include arms, holes, or bores to accept each of the sub-stackdiagonal struts 314 a, 314 b.

The sub-stack diagonal struts 314 a, 314 b stabilize the secondsatellite sub-stack 310 relative to the base 320 via strut brackets 352.The strut brackets 352 can be attached to or embedded within the base320. The strut bracket 352 can be adjoined to the respective diagonalstruts (e.g., by an adhesive, by welding, by molding as a single piece,or the like) or the diagonal struts can be inserted into the strutbracket 352 (e.g., such as within arms, holes, or bores). The sub-stackdiagonal struts 314 a, 314 b traverse an external sidewall of the secondsub-stack 310. The cup pillar 312 of the second satellite sub-stack 310is similar to the cup pillar 208.

The stacked satellite dispensing system 300 also includes full stackdiagonal struts 306 a, 306 b. The full stack diagonal struts 306 a, 306b stabilize the first and second satellite sub-stacks 304, 310 relativeto the base 320 via the strut brackets 352, as shown in magnified view350. The full stack diagonal struts 306 a, 306 b are similar to thefirst and second diagonal struts 206 a, 206 b, except that the fullstack diagonal struts 306 a, 306 b traverse external sidewalls of thefirst and second sub-stacks 304, 310 (i.e., the full stack 302). Thefull stack diagonal struts 306 a, 306 b can extend from the topsatellite of the first satellite sub-stack 304 to the bottom satelliteof the second satellite sub-stack 310 or can be adjoined at the top of acup pillar 308 via a full stack strut coupling 332, as shown inmagnified view 330. The full stack diagonal struts 306 a, 306 b can beadjoined to the full stack strut coupling 332, such as by an adhesive,by welding, by molding as a single piece, or the like. The full stackstrut coupling 332 can include arms, holes, or bores to accept each ofthe full stack diagonal struts 306 a, 306 b. The cup pillar 308 includesthe cup pillar 312 of the second satellite sub-stack 310, a cup pillarof the first satellite sub-stack 304, and the strut coupling 342 of thesecond satellite sub-stack 310.

FIG. 4 shows the satellites 360 being dispersed from the stackedsatellite dispensing system 300. As discussed below, the full stackdiagonal struts 306 a, 306 b and the sub-stack diagonal struts 316 a,316 b can be moved from locked positions to unlocked positions to allowthe satellites 360 of the first sub-stack 304 and the satellites 360 ofthe second sub-stack 310, respectively, to be dispersed from the stackedsatellite dispensing system 300. In one example, motors or spring-loadedhinges can used to rotate the strut brackets 352 around an axis on thebase 320, thereby pulling the full stack diagonal struts 306 a, 306 band the sub-stack diagonal struts 316 a, 316 b away from the externalsidewalls of the first and second sub-stacks 304, 310. In anotherexample, pyrotechnics can be used to jettison the full stack diagonalstruts 306 a, 306 b and the sub-stack diagonal struts 316 a, 316 b fromthe stacked satellite dispensing system 300. In yet another example, thefull stack diagonal struts 306 a, 306 b and the sub-stack diagonalstruts 316 a, 316 b can be made longer to remove tension from the struts(e.g., telescopically), such as by a motor, by remove or releasing aclamp, latch, or the like. Once the struts are made longer and thetension has been removed, the struts can rotate away from the externalsidewall of the first and second sub-stacks 304, 310 via the strutbrackets or can be jettisoned by separating from the strut brackets.

In one example, once the stacked satellite dispensing system 300 reachesa desired trajectory and location in space (e.g., low Earth orbit, whichis less an altitude than 2,000 kilometers from the Earth surface), thefull stack diagonal struts 306 a, 306 b are moved from a locked positionto an unlocked position. In another example, once a pre-determined timehas been reached or after a certain time has passed since launch, thefull stack diagonal struts 306 a, 306 b are moved from a locked positionto an unlocked position (i.e., based on a pre-programmed schedule). Inyet another example, the full stack diagonal struts 306 a, 306 b aremoved from a locked position to an unlocked position are releasedmanually, such as by a command from an Earth-based controller or a spacestation controller, whether the controllers are operated by a human orinstructed to transmit the command by a processor. The stacked satellitedispensing system 300 can include a communication module (not shown) tocommunicate with a communication station on Earth or on the spacestation via Track and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) or the like.

The locked position, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B, stabilizes and retains thesatellites of the full stack 302 within the stacked satellite dispensingsystem 300. The locked position is a position in which the full stackstrut coupling 332 is mated with a cup of the top satellite of the fullstack 302. The unlocked position is a position in which the full stackstrut coupling 332 is no longer mated with the cup of the top satelliteof the full stack 302. The unlocked position is a position in which thefull stack strut coupling 332 is no longer mated with the cup of the topsatellite of the full stack 302. The unlocked position, which no longerstabilizes or restrains the satellites 360, allows the satellites 360 ofthe first sub-stack 304 to be dispersed. The satellites 360 can bedispersed by momentum (i.e., the satellites 360 freely float way fromthe base 320), by a deployment device (e.g., a mechanical or pneumaticspring, or the like), by a satellite-based propulsion system, or thelike. The satellites 360 of the second-sub stack 310 are still retainedin the stacked satellite dispensing system 300 because the sub-stackdiagonal struts 316 a, 316 b are still in a locked position.

Once the satellites 360 of the first sub-stack 302 are dispersed, thestacked satellite dispensing system 300 reaches another desiredtrajectory or location in space (e.g., low Earth orbit, which is orbitat less than an altitude than 2,000 kilometers from the Earth surface),or both, the sub-stack diagonal struts 316 a, 316 b are moved from alocked position to an unlocked position. The locked position, as shownin FIGS. 3A-3B, stabilizes and retains the satellites of the secondsub-stack 310 within the stacked satellite dispensing system 300. Thelocked position is a position in which the strut coupling 342 is matedwith a cup of the top satellite of the second sub-stack 310. Theunlocked position is a position in which the strut coupling 342 is nolonger mated with the cup of the top satellite of the second sub-stack310. The unlocked position is a position in which the strut coupling 342is no longer mated with the cup of the top satellite of the secondsub-stack 310. The unlocked position, which no longer stabilizes orrestrains the satellites 360, allows the satellites 360 of the secondsub-stack 310 to be dispersed. The satellites 360 can be dispersed bymomentum (i.e., the satellites 360 freely float way from the base 320),by a deployment device (e.g., a mechanical or pneumatic spring, or thelike), by a satellite-based propulsion system, or the like.

The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specificnomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure.However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specificdetails are not required in order to practice the systems and methodsdescribed herein. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments orexamples are presented by way of examples for purposes of illustrationand description. They are not intended to be exhaustive of or to limitthis disclosure to the precise forms described. Many modifications andvariations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodimentsor examples are shown and described in order to best explain theprinciples of this disclosure and practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best utilize this disclosure andvarious embodiments or examples with various modifications as are suitedto the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope ofthis disclosure be defined by the following claims and theirequivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of dispensing satellites, comprising:providing a satellite stack including multiple stacked satellites, thesatellite stack secured to a base with a diagonal strut extending from atop of the satellite stack to the base; in response to receiving aninstruction from a controller or to initiating a mechanical action,causing the diagonal strut to be released from the satellite stack; andby releasing the diagonal strut from the satellite stack, causing asatellite of the satellite stack to be dispensed from the satellitestack.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the diagonalstrut to be released when the satellite stack reaches a given location,when the satellite stack receives a command from an operator, or when apre-determined time is reached.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein thediagonal strut is a first diagonal strut and, wherein the satellitestack is further secured to the base with a second diagonal strutextending from the top of the satellite stack to the base.
 4. The methodof claim 3, wherein the second strut extends in a direction differentfrom the first diagonal strut.
 5. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising causing the second diagonal strut to be released from thesatellite stack in response to receiving the instruction from thecontroller or to initiating the mechanical action.
 6. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising, after releasing the diagonal strut from thesatellite stack, causing the satellite to be dispensed by a propulsionsystem.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the diagonal strut is releasedby rotating the diagonal strut away from the top of the satellite stackand around an axis of the base.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein amotor or a spring-loaded hinge causes rotation of the diagonal strut. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein the diagonal strut is released byremoving tension from the diagonal strut.
 10. The method of claim 9,wherein the tension is removed from the diagonal strut by elongating thediagonal strut.
 11. A satellite dispensing system, comprising: a firstplurality of satellites stacked on top of each other; and a releasablestrut extending at an oblique angle from a top satellite of the firstplurality of satellites towards a bottom satellite of the firstplurality of satellites, the releasable strut moveable from a first,locked position in which the first plurality of satellites are in asecured position within the satellite dispensing system to a second,unlocked position in which the top satellite is dispensed from thesatellite dispensing system, the releasable strut moveable from thefirst, locked position to the second, unlocked position in response toreceiving an instruction from a controller or to initiating a mechanicalaction.
 12. The satellite dispensing system of claim 11, wherein thereleasable strut is a first releasable strut, and wherein a secondreleasable strut extends at an oblique angle in a direction differentfrom the first releasable strut, the second releasable strut extendingfrom the top satellite of the first plurality of satellites towards thebottom satellite of the first plurality of satellites.
 13. The satellitedispensing system of claim 12, wherein the first releasable strut andthe second releasable strut form a caret.
 14. The satellite dispensingsystem of claim 12, further comprising a strut coupling in physicalcontact with the top satellite, the first releasable strut and thesecond releasable strut adjoined to the strut coupling and extendingfrom the strut coupling.
 15. The satellite dispensing system of claim12, wherein the releasable strut is a first releasable strut, andwherein a second releasable strut extends at an oblique angle from thefirst releasable strut from the top satellite of the first plurality ofsatellites towards the bottom satellite of the first plurality ofsatellites, the first releasable strut and the second releasable strutextending from different points of the top satellite towards differentpoints of the bottom satellite.
 16. The satellite dispensing system ofclaim 15, wherein the first releasable strut and the second releasablestrut form an X.
 17. The satellite dispensing system of claim 11,wherein the releasable strut is a first releasable strut, and furthercomprising: a second plurality of satellites stacked on top of the firstplurality of satellites; and a second releasable strut extending at anoblique angle from a top satellite of the second plurality of satellitestowards the bottom satellite of the first plurality of satellites. 18.The satellite dispensing system of claim 17, further comprising a thirdreleasable strut extending at an oblique angle in a direction oppositethe first releasable strut, the third releasable strut extending fromthe top satellite of the first plurality of satellites towards thebottom satellite of the first plurality of satellites, the firstreleasable strut and the third releasable strut forming a firstreleasable strut pair.
 19. The satellite dispensing system of claim 18,further comprising a fourth releasable strut extending at an obliqueangle from the top satellite of the second plurality of satellitestowards the bottom satellite of the first plurality of satellites, thesecond releasable strut and the fourth releasable strut forming a secondreleasable strut pair.
 20. The satellite dispensing system of claim 19,wherein the first releasable strut pair and the second releasable strutpair are attached to a base, the base structured to support the firstplurality of satellites and the second plurality of satellites.
 21. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the instruction from the controller includesdata received through a communication module via Track and Data RelaySatellites (TDRS) and the initiation of the mechanical action includesmanual, scheduled, or automatic actuation of the release of the diagonalstrut.
 22. The satellite dispensing system of claim 11, wherein theinstruction from the controller includes data received through acommunication module via Track and Data Relay Satellites (TDRS) and theinitiation of the mechanical action includes manual, scheduled, orautomatic actuation of the release of the releasable strut.